Kemptville College working group to look at programming options

KEMPTVILLE – A working group, comprised of university, municipal and government members, will be looking at what course and programs can be delivered at the Kemptville campus.

The Ontario government announced Wednesday, the working group will include representatives from the University of Guelph, North Grenville, the United Counties of Leeds-Grenville, and the Ontario ministries of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and Training, Colleges and Universities.

The group will look at various new models for delivering learning, training and instruction at the Kemptville facility and how they could be delivered.

It’s expected to submit its findings in the fall.

“We see the group’s efforts as forming the basis of a sustainable business plan leading to a not-for-profit corporation to renew and redevelop Kemptville campus into an educational and multi-institutional campus relevant to Eastern Ontario, particularly in the areas of education and training, health and wellness and economic development,” said North Grenville Mayor David Gordon.

In December 2014, a provincial facilitator – former agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief – recommended the township take over the operation.

At the time, Vanclief said there was interest in the campus from the skilled trades sector for a training facility.

This, after the University of Guelph announced in March 2015 it was shutting down its college campuses in Alfred and Kemptville due to financial reasons.

The Kemptville campus, established in 1917, is 847 acres and has roughly 52 buildings.